Trump Pits Vance and Rubio Against Each Other Ahead of 2028 GOP Race

The president has been asking for performance reviews of his second-in-command as potential 2028 contenders jockey for position.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:23pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting featuring two political figures in motion, their forms overlapping and repeating in waves of red, white, and blue, conveying a sense of political maneuvering and competition.As Trump seeks to position potential 2028 contenders, the race for the GOP nomination is already heating up behind the scenes.Today in Miami

Donald Trump has been privately comparing the performances of JD Vance and Marco Rubio, two potential contenders for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination, as he appears to be positioning the two against each other. Trump has asked advisers to assess Vance's handling of Iran war negotiations and has also omitted Vance from Time's list of the most influential people, while Rubio was listed as a possible inheritor of the 'Trumpist movement' in 2028.

Why it matters

This behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Trump suggests he may be trying to elevate Rubio at the expense of Vance, potentially shaping the 2028 Republican primary landscape. As the party's elder statesman, Trump's influence over the next generation of GOP leaders remains significant.

The details

According to CNN, Trump has been asking friends and advisers to compare the performances of Vance and Rubio, both seen as potential 2028 presidential contenders. The president has also inquired about Vance's handling of the Iran war negotiations, which he initially opposed but has now been tasked with leading. Vance recently traveled to Pakistan to try to negotiate a ceasefire but returned without an agreement. Meanwhile, Rubio was included in Time's list of influential people for 2026, while Vance was omitted, a potential slight that could harm his 2028 prospects.

  • On April 16, 2026, CNN reported on Trump's efforts to pit Vance and Rubio against each other.
  • Last week, a 10-day ceasefire in the Iran war was announced, prompting Vance to travel to Pakistan to negotiate a deal.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president who remains a powerful force in the Republican Party and is shaping the 2028 primary landscape.

JD Vance

A 41-year-old Republican who has been tasked by Trump to lead negotiations to end the Iran war, a role that could boost his 2028 presidential aspirations.

Marco Rubio

A Republican senator who was listed by Time magazine as a possible inheritor of the 'Trumpist movement' in 2028, potentially positioning him as a rival to Vance.

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What they’re saying

“Vice President Vance continues to show why President Trump has tapped him to lead the Iran negotiations along with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. His ability to take on some of the biggest challenges head-on makes him an invaluable member of the Administration full of top performers.”

— Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Trump suggests he may be trying to elevate Rubio at the expense of Vance, potentially shaping the 2028 Republican primary landscape. As the party's elder statesman, Trump's influence over the next generation of GOP leaders remains significant.